Touch panel and method for manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are a touch panel and a method for manufacturing the same. A touch panel can include a substrate, a transparent electrode base on the substrate, a first transparent electrode on the transparent electrode base and extending in a first direction, and a second transparent electrode on the transparent electrode base and extending in a second direction. A method of manufacturing a touch panel can include preparing a substrate and a transparent electrode base, forming a transparent electrode over the transparent electrode base, and forming an electrode material over the transparent electrode base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/059,754, filed Aug. 9, 2018; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/792,383, filed Oct. 24, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.10,088,948, issued Oct. 2, 2018; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/222,541, filed Jul. 28, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No.9,933,890, issued Apr. 3, 2018; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/130,259, filed Jun. 5, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,433,089, issued Aug. 30, 2016; which is the U.S. national stageapplication of International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2012/005200,filed Jun. 29, 2012; which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 ofKorean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0064111, filed Jun. 29, 2011,which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The disclosure relates to a touch panel and a method for manufacturingthe same.

Background Art

Recently, touch panels, which perform input functions through the touchof an image displayed on a display device by an input device such as astylus pen or a hand, have been applied to various electronicappliances.

Touch panels can be mainly classified as resistive touch panels orcapacitive touch panels. In a resistive touch panel, glass is shortedwith an electrode due to the pressure of the input device so that atouch point is detected. In a capacitive touch panel, the variation incapacitance between electrodes is detected when a finger of the usertouches the capacitive touch panel, so that the touch point is detected.

Multi-touch is available in a capacitive touch panel. Multi-touch is atechnology in which several touch points can be simultaneouslyrecognized, and allows a user to carry out more various manipulationswhen compared to a typical technology of recognizing only one touchpoint. Different from a conventional touch scheme requiring additionalmanipulations through auxiliary buttons to perform various functions(e.g., because only the position variation can be input through atouch), the reaction of a device to the touch can be specified accordingto the number of detected touch points, and predetermined manipulationsthrough the detection of the intervals between the touch points can beperformed. Accordingly, a user can more intuitively and convenientlymanipulate the touch panel.

BRIEF SUMMARY Technical Problem

The embodiment provides a touch panel capable of reducing the thicknessthereof and reducing a bezel and a method for manufacturing the same.Recently, there has been a need in the art for a touch panel havingcurved glass and a multi-touch function

Technical Solution

According to an embodiment of the subject invention, a touch panel caninclude a substrate, a transparent electrode base on the substrate(e.g., provided on any surface of the substrate and/or provided thereonwith a transparent electrode), a first transparent electrode provided onthe transparent electrode base (e.g., any surface of the transparentelectrode base) and extending in a first direction, and a secondtransparent electrode provided on the transparent electrode base (e.g.,any surface of the transparent electrode base) and extending in a seconddirection (e.g., a direction to cross the first transparent electrode).

According to another embodiment of the subject invention, a method formanufacturing a touch panel can include preparing a substrate and atransparent electrode base, forming a transparent electrode over thetransparent electrode base, and depositing an electrode material overthe transparent electrode base. The method can further include formingan anti-reflective layer over the transparent electrode base.

Advantageous Effects

According to embodiments of the subject invention, the first and secondtransparent electrodes can be formed on a transparent electrode base(e.g., in a PET film serving as the transparent electrode base), and theflexibility of the touch panel can be ensured.

The transparent electrode can include the first and second transparentelectrodes. The first and second transparent electrodes can be providedat different layers. Accordingly, touches can be more sensitivelysensed, so that the accuracy of touch sensing can be improved. Inaddition, a touch panel having a multi-touch function, which has beenrecently spotlighted, can be provided. In a particular embodiment, atouch panel having a multi-touch function and including curved glass canbe provided.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transparentelectrode can be formed such that it is not directly formed on thesubstrate, and because of this, the electrical characteristic of thetransparent electrode can be easily controlled. In addition, since thetransparent electrode can be formed on the transparent electrode base,the touch panel can have a thin thickness.

The transparent electrode base can include a hard coating layer. Thehard coating layer and the insulating layer can be subject to indexmatching. The characteristics such as the transmittance, thereflectance, and the chrominance (b*, yellowish) can be optimized due tothe index matching. In addition, the first and second transparentelectrodes including a transparent conductive material can be in theinvisible state through index matching. Therefore, the visibility of thedisplay device employing the touch panel can be improved.

In an embodiment, a touch panel can include a substrate comprising acurved surface. Accordingly, a display device employing the touch panelaccording to the embodiment can provide visual stability due to thecurved surface. In addition, the touch sensitivity of the touch panelcan be enhanced. In particular, when the touch panel is applied to acellular phone, the usability of the cellular phone can be improved.When a user holds the cellular phone in the hand of the user, thecellular phone provides superior grip so that the user can feelstability for the cellular phone. In addition, when the user talks withthe counterpart by using the cellular phone, the cellular phone adheresto the face line of the user, so that the usability of the cellularphone can be improved.

In an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a touch panel, a narrowdummy area can be realized by forming the wire electrode having a thinline width. Accordingly, the area of the effective area is increased,and various designs can be ensured.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a touch panel according toan embodiment of the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a part A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a touch panel according to a secondembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a touch panel according to a thirdembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a touch panel according to a fourthembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a touch panelaccording to an embodiment of the subject invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the description of the embodiments, it will be understood that, whena layer (or film), a region, a pattern, or a structure is referred to asbeing “on” or “under” another layer (or film), another region, anotherpad, or another pattern, it can be “directly” or “indirectly” on theother layer (or film), region, pad, or pattern, or one or moreintervening layers may also be present. Such a position of the layer hasbeen described with reference to the drawings.

The thickness and size of each layer (film), region, pattern, orstructure shown in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted orschematically drawn for the purpose of convenience or clarity. Inaddition, the size of each layer (film), region, pattern, or structuredoes not utterly reflect an actual size.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the subject invention will be described indetail with reference to accompanying drawings.

A touch panel according to a first embodiment will be described belowwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a plan view schematicallyshowing a touch panel according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is an enlargedplan view of a part A of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view takenalong line B-B′ of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, in an embodiment, a touch panel 100 can bedefined by an effective area AA, in which the position of an inputdevice is detected, and a dummy area DA provided at an outer portion ofthe effective area AA.

The effective area AA can be provided therein with a transparentelectrode 30 to detect the input device. In addition, the dummy area DAcan be provided therein with a wire 40 connected to the transparentelectrode 30 and a printed circuit board to connect the wire 40 to anexternal circuit (not shown). The dummy area DA can be provided thereinwith an outer dummy layer 20. A logo 20 a may be formed in the outerdummy layer 20. Hereinafter, characteristics of the touch panel 100 willbe described in more detail.

The touch panel 100 according to the first embodiment can include one ormore of: a substrate 10; an outer dummy layer 20; an optically clearadhesive 60; a transparent electrode 30; a wire 40; an insulating layer50; a transparent electrode base 70; and an anti-reflective layer 80.

The substrate 10 can be any suitable material known in the art, forexample, a glass substrate or a plastic substrate, though embodimentsare not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the substrate 10 can include a curved surface (e.g.,curved glass). That is, at least one surface of the substrate 10 caninclude a curved surface. The curved surface can have a concave shape.Alternatively, the curved surface can have a convex shape.

Accordingly, a display device employing the touch panel 100 according tothe embodiment can provide visual stability due to the curved surface.In addition, the touch sensitivity of the touch panel 100 can beenhanced. In particular, when the touch panel 100 is applied to acellular phone, the usability of the cellular phone can be improved.When a user holds the cellular phone in the hand of the user, thecellular phone provides superior grip so that the user can feelstability for the cellular phone. In addition, when the user talks withthe counterpart by using the cellular phone, the cellular phone adheresto the face line of the user, so that the usability of the cellularphone can be improved.

In an embodiment, the optically clear adhesive (OCA) 60 can beinterposed between the substrate 10 and the transparent electrode base70. The OCA 60 can bond the substrate 10 with the transparent electrodebase 70. The OCA 60 can bond the substrate 10 with the transparentelectrode base 70 without greatly lowering the light transmittance ofthe touch panel 100.

The transparent electrode base 70 can be positioned on the substrate 10(e.g., on one surface of the substrate). The transparent electrode base70 can be, for example, a poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film,though embodiments are not limited thereto. The transparent electrodebase 70 can include various materials that may constitute thetransparent electrode 30.

The transparent electrode 30 can include first and second transparentelectrodes 32 and 34.

In an embodiment, the first and second transparent electrodes 32 and 34can include sensor parts 32 a and 34 a to detect the touch of an inputdevice (e.g., a finger of a user), and connection parts 32 b and 34 bconnecting the sensor parts 32 a and 34 a. The connection part 32 b ofthe first transparent electrode 32 can connect the sensor part 32 a in afirst direction (shown as left and right directions in FIG. 2), and theconnection part 34 b of the second transparent electrode 34 can connectsthe sensor part 34 a in a second direction (shown as up and downdirections in FIG. 2).

The transparent electrode 30 can have various shapes to detect the touchof the input device (e.g., the finger of a user).

The transparent electrode 30 can include a transparent conductivematerial allowing electricity to flow without interrupting thetransmission of light. To this end, the transparent electrode 30 caninclude various materials such as metallic oxide including indium tinoxide, indium zinc oxide, copper oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, ortitanium oxide, a carbon nano-tube (CNT), and a conductive polymermaterial, though embodiments are not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the first and second transparent electrodes 32 and 34can be positioned on the same plane of the transparent electrode base70. The second transparent electrode 34 can be provided on one surfaceof the transparent electrode base 70, and the first transparentelectrode 32 can be provided on the second transparent electrode 34.

In an embodiment, the first and second transparent electrodes 32 and 34can be formed in a PET film serving as the transparent electrode base70, thereby ensuring the flexibility of the touch panel 100.

According to the related art, the transparent electrode is directlyformed on the substrate 10 in order to reduce the thickness of a touchpanel. However, if the substrate 10 were to have a curved surface, thecontrol of the electrical characteristic of the transparent electrodeprovided on a curved surface part would be difficult.

According to embodiments of the present invention, since the transparentelectrode may not be directly formed on the substrate 10, the electricalcharacteristic of the transparent electrode can be easily controlled. Inaddition, since the transparent electrode 30 can be formed on thetransparent electrode base 70, the touch panel can be maintained at athin thickness.

Next, in an embodiment, the insulating layer 50 can be interposedbetween the first and second transparent electrodes 32 and 34. In otherwords, the insulating layer 50 can be provided throughout the entiresurface of the second transparent electrode 34. Therefore, the firsttransparent electrode 32 can be inhibited from being electricallyshorted with the second transparent electrode 34.

The insulating layer 50 can include, for example, a metallic oxide suchas a silicon oxide, polymer, and acrylic resin, though embodiments arenot limited thereto.

The first and second transparent electrodes 32 and 34 can be provided atdifferent layers while interposing the insulating layer 50 therebetween,thereby more sensitively sensing touches. Accordingly, the accuracy oftouch sensing can be improved. In addition, a touch panel having amulti-touch function, which has been recently spotlighted, may beprovided. In particular, a touch panel having a multi-touch function andincluding curved glass may be provided. The multi-touch is a technology,in which several touch points can be simultaneously recognized, canallow a user to carry out more manipulations compared to a typicaltechnology of recognizing only one touch point. Different from aconventional touch scheme requiring additional manipulations throughauxiliary buttons to perform various functions because only the positionvariation can be input through a touch, the reaction of a device to thetouch can be specified according to the number of detected touch points,and predetermined manipulations through the detection of the intervalsbetween the touch points can be performed. Accordingly, the user canmore intuitively and conveniently manipulate the touch panel.

In an embodiment, the transparent electrode base 70 can include a hardcoating layer (not shown). The hard coating layer and the insulatinglayer 50 can be subject to the index matching. Characteristics, such asthe transmittance, the reflectance, and the chrominance (b*, yellowish),can be optimized due to the index matching. In addition, the first andsecond transparent electrodes including a transparent conductivematerial can be in the invisible state through index matching.Therefore, the visibility of the display device employing the touchpanel 100 can be improved.

If the input device (e.g., a finger) is touched on the touch panel 100,the difference in capacitance can be made in a portion touched by theinput device, and the touched portion having the difference incapacitance can be detected as a touch point.

The dummy area DA of the substrate 10 can be provided therein with thewire 40 connected to the transparent electrode 30, and the printedcircuit board (not shown) connected to the wire 40. Since the wire 40 isprovided in the dummy area DA, the wire 40 can include metalrepresenting superior electrical conductivity. The printed circuit boardcan have various forms. For example, the printed circuit board can be aflexible printed circuit board (FPCB), though embodiments are notlimited thereto.

In certain embodiments, the anti-reflective layer 80 can be present andreduces the reflectance of visible-band light in order to inhibit theglare caused by the reflection and/or inhibit a phenomenon in which ascreen image is not viewed. In other words, the anti-reflective layer 80can provide superior resolution by effectively reducing a bad influencecaused by the reflection and can improve visibility. In addition, thetransmittance of the touch panel 100 can be improved to at least 90%,preferably, at least 92%. In addition, the transmittance of the touchpanel 100 can be improved up to 99%.

The anti-reflective layer 80 can include an oxide or a fluoride having arefractive index of about 1.35 to about 2.7, though embodiments are notlimited thereto. The refractive index range can be determined suitablyfor the anti-reflection. The anti-reflective layer 80 can be formed bystacking materials representing different refractive indexes in one ormore layers.

The anti-reflective layer 80 can be formed in contact with thetransparent electrode base 70, so that the thickness of the touch panel100 can be reduced.

Although not shown, a scattering inhibition film can be formed to coverthe transparent electrode 30 and the wire 40. The scattering inhibitionfilm can inhibit fragments from being scattered when the touch panel 100is broken due to the impact. The scattering inhibition film can includevarious materials in various structures.

Hereinafter, a touch panel 200 according to a second embodiment will bedescribed in more detail with reference to FIG. 4. In the followingdescription, the details of structures and components the same as thosedescribed above or extremely similar to those described above will beomitted except for structures and components different from thosedescribed above for the purpose of clear and simple explanation.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a touch panel 200 according to thesecond embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, in a touch panel 200 according to the secondembodiment, the first and second transparent electrodes 32 and 34 can beprovided on different surfaces while interposing the transparentelectrode base 70 therebetween. For example, the first transparentelectrode 32 can be provided on a top surface of the transparentelectrode base 70, and the second transparent electrode 34 can beprovided on a bottom surface of the transparent electrode base 70.

The transparent electrode base 70 can inhibit the first transparentelectrode 32 from being electrically shorted with the second transparentelectrode 34. Accordingly, an additional insulating layer may beomitted.

According to the related art, since only one transparent electrode isformed on the transparent electrode base 70, a two-layer capacitivetouch panel requires at least two transparent electrode bases 70 and aplurality of OCAs 60 used to bond the transparent electrodes bases 70with each other. Accordingly, the thickness of the touch panel isincreased, and the transmittance and the visibility are degraded.

According to embodiments of the present invention, both the first andsecond transparent electrodes 32 and 34 can be formed on one transparentelectrode base 70. Accordingly, the problem can be solved.

In addition, the first and second transparent electrodes 32 and 34 canbe provided at different layers about the transparent electrode base 70,thereby more sensitively sensing touches. Accordingly, the accuracy oftouch sensing can be improved.

Hereinafter, a touch panel 300 according to a third embodiment will bedescribed in more detail with reference to FIG. 5. In the followingdescription, the details of structures and components the same as thoseof the first embodiment or extremely similar to those of the firstembodiment will be omitted except for only structures and componentsdifferent from those of the first embodiment for the purpose of clearand simple explanation.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a touch panel 300 according to thethird embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, in a touch panel 300 according to the thirdembodiment, the anti-reflective layer 80 can include an anti-reflectivefilm. In other words, the anti-reflective layer 80 can be provided inthe form of a film. The touch panel 300 according to the thirdembodiment can be the same as the touch panel 100 according to the firstembodiment except that the anti-reflective layer 80 is provided in theform of a film.

Hereinafter, a touch panel 400 according to a fourth embodiment will bedescribed in more detail with reference to FIG. 6. In the followingdescription, the details of structures and components the same as thoseof the second embodiment or extremely similar to those of the secondembodiment will be omitted except for only structures and componentsdifferent from those of the second embodiment for the purpose of clearand simple explanation.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a touch panel 400 according to thefourth embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, in a touch panel 400 according to the fourthembodiment, the anti-reflective layer 80 can include an anti-reflectivefilm. In other words, the anti-reflective layer 80 can be provided inthe form of a film. The touch panel 400 according to the fourthembodiment can be the same as the touch panel 200 according to thesecond embodiment except that the anti-reflective layer 80 is providedin the form of a film.

Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a touch panel according to anembodiment of the subject invention will be described with reference toFIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a touch panelaccording to an embodiment of the subject invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, a method for manufacturing a touch panel accordingto an embodiment of the subject invention can include one or more of: astep of preparing a substrate and a transparent electrode base (stepST100); a step of forming a transparent electrode (step ST200); a stepof forming a wire electrode material (step ST300); and a step of formingan anti-reflective layer (step ST400).

In the step of preparing the substrate and the transparent electrodebase (step ST100), the substrate can be prepared, and the transparentelectrode base can include, e.g., a PET film, though embodiments are notlimited thereto. In an embodiment, the substrate can have a curvedsurface.

Thereafter, in the step of forming the transparent electrode (stepST200), the transparent electrode can be formed on the transparentelectrode base. The step of forming the transparent electrode (stepST200) can include a step of forming a first transparent electrodeextending in a first direction and a second transparent electrodeextending in a second (e.g., a direction different from the firstdirection, such as a direction to cross the first transparentelectrode).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the step of forming the transparentelectrode (step ST200) can further include a step of forming the firstand second transparent electrodes 32 and 34 in line with the transparentelectrode base 70, and a step of forming the insulating layer 50 betweenthe first and second transparent electrodes 32 and 34.

In an embodiment, the first and second transparent electrodes 32 and 34can be formed through a deposition scheme. For example, the first andsecond transparent electrodes 32 and 34 can be formed through a reactivesputtering scheme. In this case, when the first and second transparentelectrodes 32 and 34 include an indium tin oxide, the first and secondtransparent electrodes 32 and 34 can include 10% or less of tin (Sn).Accordingly, the transmittance can be improved. Thereafter, theelectrical conductivity can be improved by crystallizing an indium tinoxide through an annealing process. However, the embodiment is notlimited thereto, and the first and second transparent electrodes 32 and34 can be formed through various schemes.

The step of forming the insulating layer 50 can include a step ofcoating an insulating material, and the insulating material can include,e.g., an organic material, though embodiments are not limited thereto.In the step of coating the insulating material, wet coating can beachieved. In this case, the insulating material can include polymer oracrylic resin.

In an embodiment, the step of forming the insulating layer can include astep of depositing an insulating material, and the insulating materialcan include an inorganic material. For example, the insulating materialcan include a silicon nitride (SiNx) or a silicon oxide (SiO2), thoughembodiments are not limited thereto.

The step of forming the wire electrode material (step ST300) can beperformed on the transparent electrode base. In the step of forming thewire electrode material (step ST300), the wire electrode material can bedeposited in the same manner that the transparent electrode is formed asdescribed above. For example, the wire electrode material can bedeposited through a sputtering scheme or a reactive sputtering scheme,though embodiments are not limited thereto. When a wire electrode isformed through a reactive sputtering scheme, the wire electrode can bedeposited using an atmosphere of, for example, oxygen or nitrogen.

The wire electrode material can include, for example, chrome (Cr),aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo),and/or any alloy thereof, though embodiments are not limited thereto.

For example, the wire electrode material can include a Cr oxide, an Aloxide, an Ag oxide, a Cu oxide, an Ni oxide, and an Mo oxide.

In an embodiment, after performing the step of forming the wireelectrode material (step ST300), a step of forming the wire electrode byetching the wire electrode material can be further performed. In moredetail, the wire electrode material can be etched through a wet etchingscheme. The wet etching scheme can be performed by using a chemical, andis a technology in which components contained in the chemical chemicallyreact to a material to be etched so that the component to be etched ismelted in the chemical for the etching purpose. For example, the etchingprocess can be performed by using a FeCl₃ solution or a NaOH solution,though embodiments are not limited thereto.

A wire electrode having a thin line width can be formed through the wetetching scheme. For example, the line width of the wire electrode may bein the range of 10 μm to 100 μm, though embodiments are not limitedthereto.

In the step of forming the wire electrode material (step ST300), thewire electrode can be formed through a simple printing process. Forexample, the wire electrode can be formed through a direct printingprocess.

According to certain embodiments, a narrow dummy area can be realized byforming a line width of the wire electrode at a thin thickness. Forexample, the dummy area DA (see FIG. 1) can be formed in the size ofabout 2 mm, so that the effective area AA (see FIG. 1) of the touchpanel and various designs can be ensured. In addition, since the wireelectrode has a thin line width, many wire electrodes can be formed inthe dummy area DA, so that the resolution of the touch panel can beincreased.

Thereafter, in an embodiment, the step of forming the anti-reflectivelayer (step ST400) can include a step of coating an anti-reflectivematerial.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the anti-reflective layer 80 can be formedthrough a coating scheme, so that the anti-reflective layer 80 candensely make contact with the transparent electrode base 70.Accordingly, the thickness of the touch panel can be reduced.

However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the step offorming the anti-reflective layer (step ST400) can include a step offorming the anti-reflective film.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the anti-reflective film can be formed onthe bottom surface of the transparent electrode base 70.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A touch panel comprising: a transparentelectrode base; an electrode disposed on the transparent electrode base;an insulating layer disposed on the transparent electrode base; a wireelectrode connected to the electrode, and provided on the transparentelectrode base; a substrate disposed on the transparent electrode baseand comprising a lower surface and an upper surface opposite to thelower surface; an outer dummy layer disposed on the wire electrode; andan optically clear adhesive (OCA) interposed between the lower surfaceof the substrate and the transparent electrode base, wherein thesubstrate comprises at least one curved surface, wherein the wireelectrode has a line width in a range of from 10 μm to 100 μm, whereinthe substrate includes an effective area, in which a position of aninput device is detected, and a dummy area provided at an outer portionof the effective area, wherein the outer dummy layer and the wireelectrode are disposed on the dummy area, wherein the dummy areacomprises four areas including a top side dummy area, a bottom sidedummy area, a left side dummy area, and a right side dummy area of thetransparent electrode base, wherein a width of each of at least two ofthe top side dummy area, the bottom side dummy area, the left side dummyarea, and the right side dummy area is less than 2 mm, wherein the OCAis disposed between the electrode and the lower surface of thesubstrate, and the electrode is disposed between the transparentelectrode base and the OCA, and wherein the upper surface of thesubstrate is exposed to an outside.
 2. The touch panel of claim 1,wherein the electrode includes a first electrode disposed on thetransparent electrode base and extending in a first direction; and asecond electrode disposed on the transparent electrode base andextending in a second direction; wherein the wire electrode includes afirst wire electrode connected to the first electrode, and provided onthe transparent electrode base; and a second wire electrode connected tothe second electrode, and provided on the transparent electrode base. 3.The touch panel of claim 1, comprising an anti-reflective layer providedon the transparent electrode base.
 4. The touch panel of claim 2,wherein the second electrode is in direct physical contact with thetransparent electrode base.
 5. The touch panel of claim 1, wherein theupper surface of the substrate is a first curved surface and the lowersurface of the substrate is a second curved surface opposite to thefirst curved surface.
 6. The touch panel of claim 2, wherein a portionof at least one of the first and second wire electrode is not overlappedwith the insulating layer in a vertical direction perpendicular to anupper surface of the transparent electrode base.
 7. The touch panel ofclaim 1, wherein the substrate comprises at least two curved surfaces.8. The touch panel of claim 2, wherein the first electrode is in directphysical contact with the transparent electrode base.
 9. The touch panelof claim 7, wherein the transparent electrode base is disposed on atleast one of the curved surfaces of the substrate.
 10. The touch panelof claim 2, wherein each of the first electrode and the second electrodecomprises at least one of the following materials: indium tin oxide;indium zinc oxide; copper oxide; tin oxide; zinc oxide; titanium oxide;carbon nano tube (CNT); and conductive polymer material.
 11. The touchpanel of claim 2, wherein each of the first wire electrode and thesecond wire electrode comprises at least one of the following materials:chromium (Cr); aluminum (Al); silver (Ag); copper (Cu); nickel (Ni); andmolybdenum (Mo).
 12. The touch panel of claim 2, wherein the firstelectrode includes a pair of first sensor parts and a first connectionpart connecting the first sensor parts to each other, wherein the secondelectrode includes a pair of second sensor parts and a second connectionpart connecting the second sensor parts to each other, wherein the firstconnection part connects the first sensor parts in the first direction,and the second connection part connects the second sensor parts in thesecond direction, and wherein the insulating layer is disposed betweenthe first connection part and the second connection part.
 13. The touchpanel of claim 1, wherein the insulating layer includes at least one ofsilicon oxide, polymer, and acrylic resin.
 14. The touch panel of claim2, further comprising a printed circuit board connected to the first andsecond wire electrodes, wherein the first wire electrode, the secondwire electrode, and the printed circuit board are disposed on the dummyarea.
 15. The touch panel of claim 2, comprising a scattering preventionfilm on the first wire electrode, the second wire electrode, the firstelectrode, and the second electrode; wherein the scattering preventionfilm covers the first wire electrode, the second wire electrode, thefirst electrode, and the second electrode.
 16. The touch panel of claim1, wherein the insulating layer includes an organic material.
 17. Thetouch panel of claim 1, wherein the insulating layer includes at leastone of a silicon nitride (SiNx) and a silicon oxide (SiO₂).
 18. Thetouch panel of claim 1, wherein the first direction and second directioncross each other.
 19. The touch panel of claim 1 wherein the outer dummylayer is disposed on the dummy area.
 20. A display device comprising thetouch panel according to claim
 1. 21. The touch panel of claim 1,wherein the substrate comprises glass or plastic.